Cigarette making apparatus

ABSTRACT

In manual cigarette making apparatus a housing is provided having a chamber with a channel at an end of the chamber to receive tobacco and a filter. The housing has an opening for admitting tobacco and a filter into the chamber adjacent the channel. A compacting slide mounted within the housing is adapted for movement toward and away from the channel for compressing the tobacco and for moving the filter into the channel. An improved mechanism to move the compacting slide with respect to the channel employs an elongated actuator mounted in the housing adapted for reciprocal movement with respect to the housing. The actuator is connected to the compacting slide and is adapted to move the slide either toward or away from the channel during reciprocation.

Paynter ]March 20, 1973 CIGARETTE MAKING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Julian L. Paynter, 9l5 N. College Avenue, Salem, Ind. 47167 [22] Filed: April 7, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 131,997

[52] US. Cl ..l3l/72, 131/70 [51] Int. Cl. .iA24c 5/42, A24c 5/52 [58] Field of Search ..131/72, 70, 75

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,491,768 l/l970 Paynter ..l3l/72 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS I 156,083 11/1904 Germany ..131/70 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant ExaminerJohn F. Pitrelli Attorney-Kane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan & Kurucz [5 7 ABSTRACT In manual cigarette making apparatus a housing is provided having a chamber with a channel at an end of the chamber to receive tobacco and a filter. The housing has an opening for admitting tobacco and a filter into the chamber adjacent the channel. A compacting slide mounted within the housing is adapted for movement toward and away from the channel for compressing the tobacco and for moving the filter into the channel. An improved mechanism to move the compacting slide with respect to the channel employs an elongated actuator mounted in the housing adapted for reciprocal movement with respect to the housing. The actuator is connected to the compacting slide and is adapted to move the slide either toward or away from the channel during reciprocation.

2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHARZOISTS 3,721,248

SHEET 2 BF 4 ATTORNEYS PATENTEDHARZO I975 SHEET 3 OF 4 INVENTOR JUL/AN z. PAW/775,?

BY Z @1524 v A1 ATTORNEYj PATENTEUHARZOIQB 3, 721 2418 SHEET t 0F 4 ATTORNEY5 CIG ARETTE MAKING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION No. 3,491,768 has enjoyed a particularly high degree of consumer acceptance. In a copending application, Ser. No. 122,443 a manual cigarette making apparatus is provided for alternately injecting a tobacco charge and a filter plug into a ready rolled cigarette paper tube.

An integral element of the above-noted apparatus is a compacting slide which serves both-to properly position the filter in the apparatus and to properly compact the tobacco prior to injecting the filter and tobacco either simultaneously or stepwise into the preformed cigarette paper tube.

Various compacting-slide moving mechanisms have been proposed employing some form of handle connected to a secondary linkage, which linkage moves the compacting slide to a predetermined position. While such proposed linkages have been entirely satisfactory in operation, it would be desirable to employ a substantially one piece compacting-slide actuating mechanism. An essentially single element compacting-slide actuating mechanism is inexpensive to produce. It is also capable. of directly transmitting external forces into desired movements of the compacting slide.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, among the objectives of this invention is to provide an improved manual cigarette making apparatus which employs a substantially one piece element for moving a compacting slide. Such an actuating mechanism is employed in apparatus for use in manufacturing a filter cigarette or a nonfilter cigarette.

The above objective and others are achieved by a variety of different embodiments, several of which are disclosed in the detailed description below.

In accordance with the invention a cigarette making apparatus is provided with a housinghaving achamber. The chamber has a channel at one end to receive cigarette components; a charge of tobacco, alone or including a filter plug. The housing has an opening for admitting cigarette components into the chamber. A nozzle is mounted on the housingin alignment with the channel for holding a cigarette paper tube in alignment with the cigarette components. Av plunger is provided for injecting the cigarette components through the nozzle into the cigarette paper tube.

A compacting slide mounted within the housing is adapted for movement toward or away from the channel for compressing the tobacco charge and for moving the filter into the channel.

vided for connecting the actuator and compacting slide such that during reciprocation of said actuator the compacting slide is sequentially moved toward and away from the housing channel. In one embodiment the slide has an elongated slot, which slot forms an acute angle with the slide with respect to the axis of reciprocation of the slide. The reciprocating slide is connected to the compacting slide by means of a projection mounted on the compacting slide which extends through the slot and is adapted to move along the slot during reciprocation.

As the reciprocating slide is moved with respect to the housing, the compacting slide is driven either toward or away from the housing channel.

In another embodiment a second elongated slot is provided in the reciprocating slide spaced along the axis of reciprocation of the slide. A projection integral with the housing extends through the slot to prevent lateral movement of the reciprocating slide during actuation.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description, which is to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating a somewhat preferred embodiment of-the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is atop plan view of a cigarette making apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof, illustrating the position of the reciprocating slide when the compacting slide is raised away from the channel;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is an'exploded perspective view thereof;

FIG. Sis a sectional side elevational view thereof, illustrating the compacting slide in a raised position and the reciprocating slide in a withdrawn position relative to the housing; wherein a cigarette paper tubeis positioned on the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a sectional side elevational view ofthe cigarette making apparatus containing a charge of tobacco and a filter element with the compacting slide in a lowered position and the reciprocatingslide inan inserted position therein;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional end elevation view'of the cigarette making apparatus taken along the plane of line 7-7 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional and elevational view' of the cigarette making apparatus taken along the plane:

ofline 8-8 of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As stated hereinbefore the apparatus of the invention is adaptable for use in the manufacturing of an alltobacco cigarette or a filter cigarette. However, for descriptive purposes, the following will be confined to the manufactureof a filter cigarette.

While the reciprocating slide mechanism described hereinbelow can be employed in any cigarette making In the embodiment as disclosed in the drawings and particularly in FIGS. 14 cigarette making apparatus is adapted to receive reciprocating slide 12 in housing 14. Reciprocating slide 12 is seated between block 16 and cover plate 18 which make up housing 14.

Referring specifically to FIG. 4, cover plate 18 and block 16 are recessed so as to form a chamber 20 therebetween. Complimentary hemispherical recesses 22 and 24 located, respectively, in cover plate 18 and block 16, and form channel 26. Channel 26 is adapted to receive a filter plug and/or a charge of tobacco.

Block 16 has a longitudinal slot 28 which communicates with chamber 20 to provide an access means for placing the filter and tobacco charge within the housing. Filter receiver 30 is located in longitudinal slot 28 on block 16 to provide a filter plug aligning means.

An elongated plunger 32 is spaced in channel 26 for receiving a filter plug and a charge of tobacco and for injecting the cigarette components into a preformed cigarette tube. To actuate the plunger a bracket 34 and handle 35 assembly is provided.

Nozzle 36 is affixed to channel outlet 38 to provide a support for the preformed cigarette tube into which the filter plug and charge of tobacco are injected.

Compacting slide 40 is slidably carried in chamber 20 and has two upper end prong portions 42 projecting upwardly through chamber 20. Compacting slide 40 also has a slot 44 extending outwardly from its lower face which is received over rib 45 of filter receiver 30. The compacting slide has a concave lower face 46 adapted to cooperate with channel 26 in aligning the filter plug and properly compacting the tobacco charge prior to injecting said cigarette components into the preformed tube spaced on nozzle 36.-

In general, the specific structural features of the above described elements for the cigarette making apparatus and their method of cooperation during formation of a filter or nonfilter cigarette is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 3,491,768, said patent having been expressly incorporated herein.

Compacting slide 40 is actuated by means of reciprocating slide 12. The reciprocating slide is in the form of an elongated block having a generally arcuate, beveled handle portion 48 readily gripped by the hand. Elongated slot 50 is provided extending through reciprocating slide 12. At least a portion of slot 50 forms an acute angle with a local horizontal spaced along the axis of reciprocation of the slide.

Elongated slot 52 extending through reciprocating slide 12 is oriented along the axis of reciprocation of the slide.

Slide 12 is received within housing 14 in recess 54 spaced adjacent to and in open communication with housing chamber 20. Recess 54 is of a complimentary configuration with the external surface of reciprocating slide 12 so as to be adapted to receive the elongated slide.

Compacting slide 40 has a projecting pin 56 which extends through angular elongated slot 50 and is adapted to move along the slot during reciprocation of slide 12. Pin 56 is centrally spaced on slide 40 between upper end prongs 42. Among other factors, the pressure between housing block 16 and cover plate 18 prevents disengagement of pin 56 from elongated slot 50.

In order to ensure against lateral movement between reciprocating slide 12 and compacting slide 40 during operation of the mechanism, pin 58 projecting from recess 54 is provided. Pin 58 extends through elongated slot 52 in reciprocating slide 12 and prevents displacement of the slide in all directions save displacement along the axis of reciprocation of the slide.

Turning now to FIGS. 5-8 there is illustrated the relative positions of the reciprocating slide and compacting slide during compression and alignment of the cigarette components prior to their injection into a preformed cigarette tube. In FIG. 5 cigarette making apparatus 10 has been provided with a preformed cigarette tube 60 which is spaced on nozzle 36. Reciprocating slide 12 is in a withdrawn position relative to the cigarette making apparatus and compacting slide 40 is in a raised position with respect to plunger 32 and channel 26. Compacting slide projecting pin 56 extends through the uppermost portion of elongated slot 50 and housing projecting pin 58 extends through elongated slot 52 at the end of the slot closest to elongated slot 50.

In the cigarette making process a charge of tobacco and a filter plug are introduced into the housing through elongated housing slot 28. Thereafter manual pressure is exerted on beveled handle 48 of reciprocating slide 12 along the horizontal axis of the slide inwardly of said housing 14. As this inward pressure is transmitted from the inner portions 64 of I slot 50 against the outer surface of projecting pin 56, compacting slide 40 is urged in the direction of plunger 32 into its lowered position with respect thereto. This direct actuation of the compacting slide is possible since the compacting slide is firmly positioned in housing 14 and movable only in a direction toward or away from plunger 32 and channel 26. As the slide is pushed inwardly of the housing, compacting slide projecting pin 56 descends slot 50 along a vertical axis.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, when projecting pin 56 reaches the lowermost portion of elongated slot 50, movement of both the reciprocating slide and the compacting slide is arrested. At this point the compacting slide is spaced in its lowermost position with respect to the'plunger and channel. As further illustrated in FIG. 6, tobacco charge 66'and filter plug 68 are properly aligned with respect to cigarette paper tube 60 and tobacco charge 66 is properly compressed for injection. Thereafter, handle 35 is moved toward nozzle 36 to inject the filter plug and tobacco charge carried in plunger 32 into cigarette tube 60.

It should be noted that if the length of slot 50 remains constant, than the angle of inclination of elongated slot 50 will determine both the distance elongated slot 52 is inserted into the housing and the length of the vertical descent of compacting slide 40. By plotting both the horizontal A and vertical B coordinates associated with an imaginary line C representing the axial length and inclination of slot 50 with respect to a local horizontal, the above parameters may be determined. Reciprocating slide 12 will move a distance equal to the length of coordinate line A during insertion into the housing. Therefore elongated slot 52 must be at least equal in length to distance A. Projecting pin 56 and, accordingly, compacting slide 40, can descend a vertical distance equal to the length of coordinate B during reciprocation of slide 12. v

In view of the above it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the angle of inclination of elongated slot 50 can be varied from an angle greater than zero degrees to an angle less than 90. Of course, as the angle of inclination is changed the length of elongated slot 50 is preferably changed to suit the dimensions of the cigarette making apparatus.

If desired, inclined slot 50 may be modified so as to have a base portion inclined at an angle of greater than 90 but less than 180 with respect to coordinate A, so as to permit compacting slide 40 to be raised from its fully lowered position. It has been found that relieving the pressure somewhat on the charge of tobacco and filter plug prior to injection and after compression facilitates insertion of the components into the cigarette paper tube.

If desired inclined slot 50 may be inclined at an angle greater than 90, but less than 180 with respect to coordinate A. In this event, compacting slide 40 is raised, as the reciprocating slide is inserted and lowered as the reciprocating slide is withdrawn from the housing.

In another embodiment, not shown, the mounting positions of compacting slide projecting pin 56 and elongated slot 50 are reversed. Pin 56 is mounted on reciprocating slide 12, while slot 50 extends through compacting slide 40, juxtaposed from pin 56. The orientation of the slot is as previously described. However, pin 56 is spaced at the lowermost portion of the slot prior to insertion of the reciprocating slide and lowering the compacting slide. In operation, pin 56 on reciprocating slide 12 moves along the axis of reciprocation of actuator 12, while slot 50 on the compacting slide descends or ascends in a plane normal to the path of pin 56.

If desired, the mounting positions of pin 58 and slot 52 are reversed; that is pin 58 is mounted on reciprocating slide- 12 and slot 52 extends through housing recess 54.

In view of the foregoing, the aforementioned objects and advantages are effectively attained. Although several somewhat preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, it should be understood that the invention is in no sense limited thereby, but is to be determined by the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for making cigarettes comprising a housing having a chamber with a channel at an end of said chamber to receive tobacco and a filter; said housing having an opening for admitting said tobacco and filter into said chamber adjacent said channel, a nozzle mounted on'said housing in axial alignment with said channel and in open communication therewith for holding a cigarette paper tube, plunger means for forcing the tobacco and filter through the nozzle into the cigarette paper tube and a compacting slide mounted within said housing adapted for movement toward and away from said channel for compressing said tobacco and for moving said filter into said channel, the improvement by means of which said compacting slide is moved with respect to said channel comprising:

a. a hand operative reciprocating slide mounted in said housing adapted for reciprocal movement with respect to said housing and along an axis of reciprocation normal to the path of travel of the compacting slide, said reciprocating slide having an elongated straight slot, said slot forming an acute angle with said reciprocating slide along the axis of reciprocation of the reciprocating slide; and

b. projecting pin means functioning as a cam follower fixedly mounted on said compacting slide and extending laterally through said slot and in engagement with surfaces thereof and adapted to move along said slot during reciprocation of said reciprocating slide;

whereby reciprocation of said reciprocating slide selectively raises or lowers said compacting slide normal to the axis of reciprocation and with respect to said channel.

2. In an apparatus for making cigarettes comprising a housing having a chamber with a channel at an end of said chamber to receive tobacco and a filter; said housing having an opening for admitting said tobacco and filter into said chamber adjacent said channel, a nozzle mounted on said housing in axial alignment with said channel-and in open communication therewith for holding a cigarette paper tube, plunger means for forcing the tobacco and filter through the nozzle into the cigarette paper tube and a compacting slide mounted within said housing adapted for movement toward and away from said channel for compressing said tobacco and for moving said filter into said channel, the improvement by means of which said compacting slide is moved with respect to said channel comprising:

a. a slide mounted in said housing adapted for reciprocal movement with respect to said housing, said slide having an elongated slot, said slot forming an acute angle with said slide along the axis of reciprocation of the slide; and

b. projecting means fixedly mounted on said compacting slide and extending through said slot adapted to move along said slot during reciprocation of said reciprocating slide, said reciprocating slide having an elongated second slot extending therethrough, said second slot extending along the axis of reciprocation of said slide and projecting means fixedly mounted on said housing and extending through said second slot and adapted to stay in said second slot during reciprocation of said slide to retain said slide in lateral alignment during movement of said slide;

whereby reciprocation of said reciprocating slide selectively raises or lowers said. compacting slide normal to the axis of reciprocation and with respect to said channel. 

1. In an apparatus for making cigarettes comprising a housing having a chamber with a channel at an end of said chamber to receive tobacco and a filter; said housing having an opening for admitting said tobacco and filter into said chamber adjacent said channel, a nozzle mounted on said housing in axial alignment with said channel and in open communication therewith for holding a cigarette paper tube, plunger means for forcing the tobacco and filter through the nozzle into the cigarette paper tube and a compacting slide mounted within said housing adapted for movement toward and away from said channel for compressing said tobacco and for moving said filter into said channel, the improvement by means of which said compacting slide is moved with respect to said channel comprising: a. a hand operative reciprocating slide mounted in said housing adapted for reciprocal movement with respect to said housing and along an axis of reciprocation normal to the path of travel of the compacting slide, said reciprocating slide having an elongated straight slot, said slot forming an acute angle with said reciprocating slide along the axis of reciprocation of the reciprocating slide; and b. projecting pin means functioning as a cam follower fixedly mounted on said compacting slide and extending laterally through said slot and in engagement with surfaces thereof and adapted to move along said slot during reciprocation of said reciprocating slide; whereby reciprocation of said reciprocating slide selectively raises or lowers said compacting slide normal to the axis of reciprocation and with respect to said channel.
 2. In an apparatus for making cigarettes comprising a housing having a chamber with a channel at an end of said chamber to receive tobacco and a filter; said housing having an opening for admitting said tobacco and filter into said chamber adjacent said channel, a nozzle mounted on said housing in axial alignment with said channel and in open communication therewith for holding a cigarette paper tube, plunger means for forcing the tobacco and filter through the nozzle into the cigarette paper tube and a compacting slide mounted within said housing adapted for movement toward and away from said channel for compressing said tobacco and for moving said filter into said channel, the improvement by means of which said compacting slide is moved with respect to said channel comprising: a. a slide mounted in said housing adapted for reciprocal movement with respect to said housing, said slide having an elongated slot, said slot forming an acute angle with said slide along the axis of reciprocation of the slide; and b. projecting means fixedly mounted on said compacting slide and extending through said slot adapted to move along said slot during reciprocation of said reciprocating slide, said reciprocating slide having an elongated second slot extending therethrough, said second slot extending along the axis of reciprocation of said slide and projecting means fixedly mounted on said housing and extending through said second slot and adapted to stay in said second slot during reciprocation of said slide to retain said slide in lateral alignment during movement of said slide; whereby reciprocation of said reciprocating slide selectively raises or lowers said compacting slide normal to the axis of reciprocation and with respect to said channel. 